We’re excited to invite you to the JoyUs Gala, capping our annual national conference, Rite of Joy, addressing the historic mental health crisis in the Black/African American community.
October 15, 2022
5–10 pm
Networking | Dinner | Ceremony | Dancing
UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City)
Pierson Auditorium
5000 Holmes St.
Kansas City, MO 64110
Meet Our Host, Ed Mabrey
Ed Mabrey is an actor, author, speaker and modern-day renaissance artist. He is accepted as the greatest poet in the history of poetry slam with over 500 wins in his career, including 4 individual world titles and 6 consecutive individual regional titles.
Ed has performed and spoken for Fortune 500 companies, universities and colleges, national ceremonies, and open mics while being featured in various television broadcasts and comedy showcases.
JoyUS Feature
Obbie West is a native of Los Angeles, a retiree from the United States Army, and am International Spoken Word artist. He is the author and writer of the Poetry book Blossom and a Poetry album entitled Unstable Man.
Obbie’s life with Poetry began in 2011 in Killeen, TX under the tutoring of the Killeen Poetry Slam Team. He travels the world, presenting life depicting Poetry on a variety of topics. He also uses Poetry as a form of a social activism. Obbie has invested a
personal and sincere interest in bringing awareness to taboo topics such as sexual assault.